The Role of a Multidisciplinary Team in Enhancing Medication Management in Emergency Departments In KSA

Abstract

Medications are the most frequent therapeutic interventions performed in emergency care processes. Their importance is well recognized, as medications are used to achieve a therapeutic effect for disease states and to improve negatively altered physiological processes. Changes in the emergency care environment and advancement in medication management are needed for emergency care to be improved. Over the last two decades, the practice of emergency care has evolved greatly in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The emphasis has been on the use of evidence-based medicine to enhance quality care. One area of concern in emergency care is the management of medications in the emergency department, as this area is the most prone to medication errors.
Several influential factors, which include governmental and hospital-related factors, affect the process of medication management in emergency departments in KSA. The involvement of all healthcare professionals is indeed needed to promote safe medication use in an emergency care environment. Of course, we do respect the talents of all healthcare professionals, but one important aspect of the many new directions in emergency care involves the teamwork provided by a variable number of healthcare professionals who all collaborate to ensure that all processes related to patient care are completed effectively and efficiently. A multi-disciplinary management team does exist in some emergency departments; however, this movement was not yet required before the Joint Commission International became a mandatory requirement for many hospitals in KSA.